how long to wait beteween stim cycles?

**ms_kty** · February 17th, 2008, 04:17 PM

Hi, we had an embryo transfer this morning with a 2 day 2 cell embryo (none left over to freeze). The FS who did the trasnfer (not our regular FS as it is Sunday) only gave a 5-7% chance of getting pregnant. After the initial shock and spending the day crying, we are starting to deal with the news and want to know when we can do another stim cycle and how long we will have to wait. This stim cycle was in Melbourne but the previous 2 were in Canberra. We had to wait for 3 bleeds between stim cycles in Canberra but we've heard that Melbourne FSs don't make you wait. Does anyone have any experience with this in Melbourne?

**briggsy's girl** · February 17th, 2008, 04:26 PM

hi hun

my fs generally makes you wait another cycle between stim cycles to give your body a chance to recover (stims are pretty trying on your body)- said that medicare won't fund back to back stims - i'm not sure if this is the case, but i know he'll do stims every second month if it comes to it for you...

good luck - and don't give up hope - 5-7% is better than a zero chance with no embie transferred - don't write yourself off just yet!

blizzy · February 17th, 2008, 08:08 PM

i spoke to my FS about this and he sadi they like at lease 1 bleed between cycles so as to let the body have a little rest. Also, medicare will not cover 2 cycles if they are within 6 weeks of each other (this is what the lady at my medicare office told me)

**Visitor9** · February 18th, 2008, 07:31 AM

Depends on your FS and clinic, I did 3 Stims back to back it was very tough emotionally so would atleast give it a month in between just to get your head together again.
Good luck

**Loula** · February 18th, 2008, 08:32 AM

i have only ever done back to back fet's. and can understand the reasons why they perfer you not to do back to back stims. but it should come down to how you feel and discussion with your FS and maybe even a counselor

**Acacia** · February 18th, 2008, 11:41 AM

I have just come out of back to back stim cycles in a Melbourne IVF clinic. These were down-regulated cycles, so there was a cycle of taking OCP between one stim and another. I wouldn't want to do another on top of that - the second one took a greater toll emotionally and physically than the first one, and I don't think I could handle a third now.

As Bec G says, it depends on your FS, and your personal circumstances (mine being an iminent permanent move o/s shortly, and no female fertility issues). Have a talk to your FS about the different possibilities, and perhaps be aware that a second stim cycle will take it's toll financially and more importantly physically and perhaps even mentallyy take a greater toll immediately after a previous one.

Good Luck!

**ms_kty** · February 18th, 2008, 06:42 PM

I have just come out of back to back stim cycles in a Melbourne IVF clinic. These were down-regulated cycles, so there was a cycle of taking OCP between one stim and another. I wouldn't want to do another on top of that - the second one took a greater toll emotionally and physically than the first one, and I don't think I could handle a third now.

As Bec G says, it depends on your FS, and your personal circumstances (mine being an iminent permanent move o/s shortly, and no female fertility issues). Have a talk to your FS about the different possibilities, and perhaps be aware that a second stim cycle will take it's toll financially and more importantly physically and perhaps even mentallyy take a greater toll immediately after a previous one.

Good Luck!

Hi Miss C,
Thanks for respnding. Do you mind me asking if Medicare funded the back-to-back cycles?
Thanks,
ms_kty

**ms_kty** · February 18th, 2008, 06:42 PM

Hi girls,
Thanks so much for responding so quickly - has put our minds at rest a little . We also spoke to our regular FS tonight and he very sweetly told us not to give up hope yet - such a lovely man - wish he could have done the transfer! He also suggested we make an appointment and come in and have a chat to discuss our options and where to from here - so will call his rooms first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks a heap!
ms_kty

**belle333** · February 24th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Good luck Ms kty

**Acacia** · February 24th, 2008, 03:28 PM

Hi ms_kty,

Sorry it's taken a little while to get back to you - I'm not able to log on very much with only ocassional internet access.

Yes, Medicare funded my back to back cycles. I wasn't aware of Medicare requiring 6 weeks between stimulated cycles in order to fund them, but because my cycles were down-regulated I assume that they're not technically back to back stim cycles, in fact there was about 6 weeks between treatments, when you include the 4 weeks or so of down-regulation. It could also be because one stim cycle was last year and the following on was this year. Not entirely sure.

But, yes, it seems that back to back down-reg cycles are ok with Medicare funding, but I would check it with Medicate to be sure.

Hope this helps, and that you had a good chat with your FS and have some answers to move forward

Miss C

**ms_kty** · February 25th, 2008, 04:42 PM

Miss C - thanks for getting back to me

...and to all - an update.....we saw our regular FS on Saturday and he confirmed that we can do back-to-back stim cycles and Medicare will fund them - yay! We also discussed his plan for us and we'll try Luveris next time (if we turn out not to be pregnant next Monday), so we are looking forward! Once again - thanks for your support!
ms_kty